Protest staged in Taipei against US, Israel over Gaza conflict

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Dozens of protesters took to the streets in Taipei yesterday to voice opposition to Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip that have reportedly caused over 1,000 deaths, mostly civilian, and urged the United States to stop its military assistance to Israel.

Gathering near the Taipei office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the protesters chanted slogans such as "Condemn U.S. military assistance to Israel," "Impose trade sanctions against Israel" and "Let Gaza Live," while holding photos of civilians killed and injured.

Labor Party Vice Chairman Tang Shu also urged the public to refuse to purchase products from Israel in protest against the Middle Eastern country's action against Gaza.

Israel has launched airstrikes, along with a ground operation, in response to the firing of rockets in Israel from Gaza by the militant group Hamas.

Tang urged Israel to end its military action in Gaza immediately, as he led the protesters in chanting the slogans. The Labor Party co-organized the protest along with several other groups, including the Labor Rights Association.

It is understood that Israel has the right to defend itself in the face of the threat from Hamas, he said, but added that the difference in the number of casualties in Israel and Gaza is too great.

The protesters also prepared national flags of Israel and the U.S. upon which they left handprints after soaking their hands in red ink, to create a symbol of the two countries' "bloody action."

On behalf of the protesters, Wang Chuan ping, executive director of the Labor Rights Association, delivered a letter of protest to AIT spokesman Mark Zimmer. The AIT represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of diplomatic ties.

Zimmer said he would pass on the letter and the protesters' concerns to U.S. officials in Washington.

Israel Will Continue Action to Protect Its People

The Israeli representative office was not immediately available for comment, but its representative to Taiwan Simona Halperin has said previously that her country will continue action to protect its people, but also takes all possible measures to protect uninvolved Palestinian civilians.

On Sunday, U.S. President Barack Obama spoke to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel again by phone to condemn the Hamas rocket and tunnel attacks against Israel and reaffirm Israel's right to defend itself, according to a White House statement.

Obama also reiterated the serious U.S. concern about the rising number of Palestinian civilian deaths and the loss of Israeli lives, and called for an immediate, unconditional humanitarian cease-fire.

The United Nations Security Council has also agreed to a statement that calls on both sides to implement a humanitarian truce, foreign media reported.

Hostilities between Israel and Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, escalated this month after the killing of three Israeli teenagers in June and a Palestinian teenager in early July.

Israeli attacks have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians, mainly civilians and including many children, according to foreign media citing Gaza officials.

Foreign media has also reported that 43 Israeli soldiers have died, along with three civilians killed by rocket and mortar fire from Gaza.

I wish all the neighbouring Arab states would stop fighting amongst themselves and destroy the illegal country of Israel (Read about the creation of Israel in a history book). Israel is one of the worst violators of human rights and enforce a system much worse than apartheid yet they continue to be supported by the international community. Is it because the Jewish run Washington?

It's disgusting how these ch**k-loving Palestinian terrorists are attacking the legitimate entity of Israel. May the Israelis defend themselves and strike back. LONG LIVE ISRAEL! LONG LIVE TAIWAN! LONG LIVE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! LONG LIVE FREE TAIWAN-ISRAEL SOLIDARITY!!

"Less than 48 hours after a top European Union court ruled that Hamas should be removed from the bloc's list of terrorist groups, supporters of the Palestinian Islamist movement responded by firing a rocket at Israel. The attack, which did not cause any casualties or damage, did not come as a surprise."

A child poses with her hand inked red at a demonstration at the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), yesterday. Israel's military has recently launched a ground operation against residents in Gaza, killing hundreds of civilians. Several human right groups gathered at AIT on Monday calling on the U.S. government to stop its support for Israel. (CNA)